Brown tight-lipped on DC buzz

Wednesday

Nov 14, 2012 at 6:00 AMNov 14, 2012 at 10:15 AM

By Lisa Hagen SPECIAL TO THE TELEGRAM & GAZETTE

In his first press conference since losing a bid for re-election last week, U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., spent much of his time ducking questions about whether he might seek a return to the Senate if Massachusetts’ senior senator, Democrat John F. Kerry, is nominated for a slot in President Barack Obama’s Cabinet.

“I have a job to do right now and there is not an opening right now for governor or senator, but there is an opening for a dad and a husband and that’s the role that I want to play,” Mr. Brown declared Tuesday.

Mr. Brown contended that his “biggest concern” at the moment is ensuring a “smooth transition” between himself and Sen.-elect Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who ousted Mr. Brown on Nov. 6.

Mr. Brown said he has told Mr. Kerry that he would make an “excellent secretary of state.”

Mr. Kerry, a Vietnam War veteran, has been mentioned as a possible nominee for defense secretary. If Mr. Kerry were to be nominated for the Cabinet and confirmed by the Senate, Gov. Deval Patrick, a Democrat, could appoint a temporary successor, but a special election would have to be scheduled for a date between 145 and 160 days to fill the remainder of the term. Mr. Patrick has indicated he does not plan to seek re-election in 2014, and there has been speculation about a possible bid by Mr. Brown for governor.

Mr. Brown said he wants to focus on completing his term over the next seven weeks by helping to resolve the fiscal cliff, when the expiration of Bush era tax cuts and the implementation of across-the-board, automatic budget reductions occur in January. Economists have warned the combination could cause the United States to slip back into a recession.

Mr. Brown emphasized the importance of finding a way to step down from defense cuts under the sequestration process, as well as easing cuts in social services such as the low-income home energy assistance program.

Labeling himself as a “bipartisan guy,” Mr. Brown said he is hopeful in light of Ms. Warren’s statements that she plans to work with both parties to help resolve the country’s issues.

“Regardless of the outcome of the election, we’ve heard from both sides that we are tired of the gridlock and lack of cooperation,” he said. “I’m hopeful you’ll give (Elizabeth Warren) the same scrutiny you’ve given me throughout the past two and a half years.”

As for the GOP, Mr. Brown said, “We need to be a larger tent party.”

He declared: “I’m a pro-choice moderate Republican and the middle is vanishing. I’m hopeful that the Republican Party will be a more open-minded and tolerant party.”